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I am a scientist specialized in mitochondria and genetics, but above all, I am just curious guy who loves learning new things.

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Vaccinations are essential for public health… but they can be itchy business

In 10 seconds? Aluminium, a common adjuvant in vaccines, is necessary to stimulate and strengthen the immunological power of vaccination, but may cause unwanted side effects, like long-lasting itching and allergies in children.

What are adjuvants and why are they necessary? An adjuvant is an added ingredient in vaccines that helps to create a stronger immune response in the patient’s body, ensuring that patients will be protected against the germ targeted by the vaccine. Aluminium salts, such as aluminium hydroxide, have been commonly used as adjuvants for the past 70 years, and are present today in Infanrix® and Pentavac®, the two most commonly used DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) vaccines in Europe.

If they have been used for over 70 years they must be safe, right? Similarly to medications, vaccines and their components may cause secondary effects, and recent studies seem to agree that although these effects are rare, they are significant. The most common side effects from aluminium adjuvants are itching granulomas and aluminium contact allergies, but more severe outcomes, such as autoimmune reactions and negative consequences on the central nervous system, have been reported, although these results are highly controversial.

If the most probable side effect is only an itch, then there is no need to worry. Well, did I mention that this itch lasts over 5 years? So, yes, these effects are mostly benign but definitely not the most enjoyable feeling a toddler could experience, without mentioning contact allergies to aluminium. But the biggest problem is that almost half of the families will refuse booster vaccinations if their child suffered from these side effects, leaving the child unprotected from infection.

So, what should we do? Most studies agree that the benefits from vaccination are much higher than the eventual negative consequences, but these side effects show that it is necessary to look for alternative adjuvants with lower consequences, to ensure parents about vaccination safety on their child’s health and, thus, improve vaccination coverage.